Aggressive Driving & Road Rage Customer Training Topic Ryder Fleet Risk Services

What is Aggressive Driving and Road Rage? Road rage is a hostile exchange between drivers, started by aggressive driving tactics such as weaving and merging with little space to spare, driving too slow or too fast, and tailgating. Many driver exchanges include rude gestures or shouting, and may escalate into aggressive movements with a vehicle.

Facts & Statistics According to the AAA Foundation, Aggressive Driving behaviors are a factor in up to 56% of fatal crashes. Approximately 90% of drivers view aggressive driving as a very serious or somewhat serious threat to their own safety. An average of at least 1500 men, women, and children are injured or killed each year in the US as a result of “aggressive driving”

The Aggressor vs. The Responder There are two types of aggressive drivers; the Aggressor and the Responder. When these two types of drivers come together, road rage is more likely to occur. Aggressors: Drivers who are disobeying traffic rules and regulations for various reasons. Responders: Drivers who are typically calm, but have a short fuse when provoked by the aggressors. An aggressor may not even realize they have provoked a responder!

Are You an Aggressive Driver? Do you get angry with speeding drivers, slow drivers, or distracted drivers? Do you get angry when drivers cut you off or tailgate you? Do you get angry with malfunctioning signal lights? Do you get impatient while in traffic jams? Do you get impatient when a vehicle slows down in front of you? Do you compete with other drivers on the road? Do you retaliate against drivers that may have made a mistake?

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Avoidance Don’t Offend Other Drivers Avoid cutting off other drivers – make sure you have plenty of room to merge into another traffic lane and always use your turn signals. Avoid tailgating – Allow plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. Avoid unnecessary honking or making inappropriate gestures – Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Avoidance Don’t Respond to Aggressive Drivers Give aggressive drivers plenty of space. Slow down, turn on to another road, or get out of the way. If another driver is trying to pick a fight with you, put as much distance as possible between you and them. Do not pull off to the side of the road to reason with a driver. If an aggressive driver will not let up, use a hands free mobile phone device and notify the police

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage Avoidance Adjust your attitude Driving is a way to get you and your passengers/goods from one point to another. It is not a contest! Be the bigger person and let the other driver “win”. Try to put yourself in the other driver’s shoes. There may be a reason the other driver is driving erratically. Do not take it personally. Ignore any gestures and do not return them.

Summary Aggressive driving continues to be a troubling issue for all drivers. Do your part by staying calm, avoiding aggressors and don’t become a responder.

Quiz True or False? Road Rage is a hostile exchange between drivers, started by aggressive driving tactics. Which of the following can be considered aggressive driving tactics: Driving too fast Driving too slow Weaving in and out of traffic Tailgating All of the above When considering road rage and aggressive driving, there are two types of drivers. What are these types of drivers? The driver and the bystander The aggressor and the responder The aggressor and the victim The instigator and the troublemaker

Quiz True or False? A person displaying aggressive behavior may not even be aware of his or her actions. True or False? If an aggressive driver becomes threatening and will not let up, you should pull over and try to calmly reason with the driver. True or False? To avoid aggressive drivers and road rage, a person should ignore rude gestures and eye contact. When faced with an aggressive driver, you should do which of the following: Do not respond to the aggressive driver Try not to offend the aggressive driver Adjust your own attitude All of the above None of the above

Answers True E B False D

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Additional Information on Rules and Regulations This document is intended to be a guide on applicable rules and regulations. Although it may be used as a guide/reference for your training needs, this document is not intended to be used as the standard for FMCSA rules and regulations. Additional information can be found on the FMCSA website. The FMCSA website will contain the most accurate and up- to-date information on any and all applicable rules and regulations. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov